Cucumbers that may be linked to one death and nearly 300 illnesses in 27 states have been recalled by their California supplier, U.S. health officials said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Mexico-grown cucumbers were distributed in Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Florida; Idaho; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Minnesota; Mississippi; Montana; Nevada; New Jersey; New Mexico; Oklahoma; Oregon; South Carolina; Texas; and Utah.
The company, Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce of San Diego, on Friday voluntarily recalled its “Limited Edition” brand cucumbers because they may be responsible for the Salmonella Poona infections, the CDC reported.
This type of cucumber, known as a “slicer” or American cucumber, is dark green and 7 to 10 inches long. CDC officials said the cucumbers appear to have caused 285 illnesses since July 3 and the Aug. 17 death of a 99-year-old woman in San Diego.
The Mexican cucumbers being linked to the current outbreak are not the long, thin ones that come wrapped in plastic (English cucumbers) nor the small pickle-shaped type (Persian cucumbers). They are the thick-skinned, unwrapped type of garden-variety cucumbers and were sent to grocery stores and restaurants in New Mexico and other states through a produce distributor.
If you don’t know if your cucumbers were recalled, the CDC suggested asking your supplier. Or, if you’re in doubt, throw them out.
The cucumbers are available in popular grocery stores like Walmart, HEB, and Safeway. They are also used in dishes served at national chains including Red Lobster, In-N-Out, and Olive Garden. The recall applies to all cucumbers sold between August 1 and September 3.
On September 8, 2015 Red Lobster issued a statement:
“Red Lobster is committed to the safety and well-being of our guests. Out of an abundance of caution, we removed all cucumbers from our restaurants and discontinued their use prior to the opening of business on Friday, September 4. A&W supplied cucumbers to fewer than one-third of Red Lobster’s 705 restaurants, and cucumbers were only served on one menu item in a one-ounce portion. We fully supported A& W’s decision to initiate a voluntary recall of their cucumbers at all of the restaurants, retailers and grocery stores they supplied. We also respect the FDA and CDC’s findings on this issue.”
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